Holiday Stress: Nibbling Your Nails?

Is holiday stress causing you to bite your nails? Unfortunately, that means you're also stressing your teeth and could potentially be sending slivers of fingernails into your gums. But as difficult as it may seem, you actually can nail your nibbling habit by trying these tips.

One easy solution is to keep your nails trimmed short, and make sure to have a file on hand to keep them tidy, with no snags or hangnails. It's much easier to resist chewing on short nails.

If you're attached to your long nails, try applying a bitter-tasting nail polish, or opt for a homemade remedy such as lime juice. Chewing on nails coated with these substances will literally leave a bad taste in your mouth. You'll also start to mentally associate your bad habit with the unpleasant flavor, which will make you think twice before biting.

Whether you prefer long or short nails, treat yourself to a holiday manicure. You can DIY with a new bottle of polish or get them professionally done. Either way, your nails will look so lovely that you won't want to ruin them.

You can also replace the habit with something better. Whenever you find yourself chewing on your nails, unwrap a piece of sugar-free gum instead. Or try to keep your hands busy with another project – you could take up knitting or color an adult coloring book.

Finally, take a little time to de-stress. It's easy to get caught up in the holiday madness, but what's truly important is spending time with your loved ones. Take a few deep breaths – and enjoy your friends and family!